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Clinton pulls overnighter to boost N. Ireland peace talks

Clinton

April 10, 1998
Web posted at: 1:04 p.m. EDT (1704 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton worked the phones overnight, encouraging negotiators to reach a deal in the Northern Ireland peace talks in Belfast. An agreement was reached on Friday.

From shortly after midnight until around 5 a.m., the president was on the phone repeatedly with major players in the peace process.

Sources say Clinton made clear that U.S. economic aid and private investment by American firms would increase significantly if a peace agreement for Northern Ireland was struck.

He talked with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and John Hume, Northern Ireland's major Catholic leader and a key architect of the peace process.

The president also spoke with former Sen. George Mitchell, Clinton's emissary who has overseen the Belfast talks for 22 months. Clinton also was expected to talk with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.

Clinton has made a big effort in the peace process, visiting both Belfast and Dublin to urge reconciliation. He likely will return to Ireland in May as part of a trip to Europe for the annual summit of major industrialized nations.

Correspondent John King contributed to this report.

Message board:

• The conflict in Northern Ireland

Related stories:

• Last day, last hope for Northern Ireland peace talks - April 9, 1998
• Peace hangs in the balance as N. Ireland deadline nears - April 8, 1998
• Mitchell presents draft peace plan for Northern Ireland - April 6, 1998
• Optimism in the air as N. Ireland talks near finish - April 6, 1998
• Sinn Fein returns to talks and bickering resumes - March 23, 1998

Related sites:

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• Office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
• Sinn Féin
• The Irish Republican Army - and the armed struggle in Irish politics
• Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP)
• Ulster Unionist Party
• The Irish News and Belfast Morning News- Northern Ireland's largest morning newspaper
• Northern Ireland Public Service Web
• Britain in the USA -- Northern Ireland: Frameworks for the Future

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